India will adopt a split-captaincy approach for the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, with Shubman Gill leading the side in the first three matches before Shreyas Iyer takes over for the final two games. The series is scheduled to be played from November 4 to 15, 2026, with the arrangement designed to manage workloads ahead of India's subsequent Test assignment.

Gill will captain India in the opening three ODIs in Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton, with Iyer serving as vice-captain. Iyer will then lead the team in the fourth and fifth matches at Mount Maunganui, with Ishan Kishan appointed his deputy.

The change in leadership is primarily linked to India's upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, which begins on November 19 in Wellington. With only a short gap between the ODI and Test assignments, the decision allows Gill to focus on his red-ball responsibilities.

KL Rahul is listed as wicketkeeper for the first three ODIs, while Kishan features in both squads. Kumar Kushagra earns a place in the final two-match group, while Tilak Varma and Auqib Nabi also feature in that selection.

Experience and Workload Management

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain part of both squads, offering experience across the series. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav provide spin options, while Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh lead the pace resources.

Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna feature in the first group but are omitted from the final two-match squad, while Jasprit Bumrah is not included in the ODI selections. Ravindra Jadeja is also absent from both ODI groups, with Hardik Pandya unavailable due to injury.

India ODI Squad for First Three Matches

Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (WK), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav.

Prasidh Krishna's selection is subject to fitness clearance.

India ODI Squad for 4th & 5th ODIs

Shreyas Iyer (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (WK, VC), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.

Story first published: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 6:45 [IST]

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